Sporophytic photosynthesis and gametophytic growth of the kelp Ecklonia stolonifera affected by ocean acidification and warming

Juvenile sporophytes and gametophytes of Ecklonia stolonifera were incubated in combinations of three pCO₂ levels (360, 720 and 980 ppmv) and two temperatures (10 and 15°C for sporophytes; 15 and 20°C for gametophytes) to examine potential effects of climate change on photosynthesis and growth. Sporophytes had significantly higher maximum quantum yields (F_v/F_m) and maximum relative electron transport rates (rETR_max) at 720 ppmv than 360 and 980 ppmv. Also, these parameters were significantly lower at higher temperature of 15°C than at 10°C. Growth of female gametophytes was maximal at 360 ppmv rather than enriched pCO₂ levels. Female gametophytes had significantly lower growth at higher temperature of 20°C than at 15°C. These results indicate effects of elevated pCO₂ varied between generations: stimulating sporophytic photosynthesis and inhibiting gametophytic growth. Ocean acidification and warming would constitute a grave threat to seedling cultivation of E. stolonifera caused by growth inhibition of gametophytes at high pCO₂ levels and temperatures.     

Horizontal movement and emigration of juvenile spotted halibut <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper variegatus</Emphasis> released in a shallow brackish lagoon: Matsukawa-ura,northeastern Japan,revealed by acoustic telemetry

To elucidate the post-release movement and emigration of juvenile spotted halibut Verasper variegatus, ten hatchery-reared age-0 individuals (10 months old, 17.0–19.7 cm total length) surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters were released near the center of Matsukawa-ura, a shallow brackish lagoon, on 25 November 2009 (water temperature 13.8 °C). They were monitored by ten acoustic receivers for 5 months. Of ten individuals, eight left the release site during December–March. Three of these emigrated to the outer ocean on 17 and 29 January and 30 March 2010, respectively. Juveniles probably started wintering migration in December and January when water temperatures decreased considerably in the lagoon (mean 9.5 and 6.0 °C, respectively). They stopped their migration in the coldest month, February (mean 5.7 °C), and restarted it in March when water temperatures frequently exceeded a plausible threshold for movement (≥6 °C). Statistical analyses revealed that the fish started migration significantly more frequently at nighttime. The migration track of an individual recorded from 11 to 30 March showed gradual nocturnal movements and a slow migration speed (estimated maximum speed 2.2 m/min). Our results revealed that water temperature primarily governed the seasonal timing of nocturnal migratory movements of juvenile spotted halibut.     

Physiological differences between gametophytes and sporophytes of five cultivar strains of Saccharina japonica

The demand for high‐yield cultivars of Saccharina japonica in farming areas calls for a practical and simple method to select desired parental plants for seed breeding. In this study, we evaluated PSII photosynthetic performance by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence and the nutrient uptake rate in both the micro‐gametophyte and macro‐young‐sporophyte in five native strains (S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5) of S. japonica with different morphological characteristics. We found significant differences in PSII photosynthetic parameters and nitrate uptake rates between the strains studied in both gametophytes and young sporophytes. Female gametophytes of all strains presented larger cell sizes than males (P < 0.05). Among all tested strains, S2 presented the largest cell sizes and highest levels of PSII photosynthetic parameters and nutrient uptake rates in female gametophytes and young sporophytes. In open sea cultivation, S2 presented the greatest width and largest fresh weight values but the lowest thickness among all strains studied. Correlation analysis further indicated that the algal fresh weight showed strong positive relationships with cell size (R² > 0.747), the PSII photosynthetic parameters of female gametophytes (R² > 0.689) and the nitrate uptake rate of young sporophytes (R² = 0.640). These findings are considered promising for the future seed breeding of renewable, high‐yield strains.     

海带配子体克隆培育杂种优势苗种的研究

用日本长海带雌性克隆与海杂海带雄性克隆杂交获得优势苗种LJ组合,它对双亲孢子体表现出明显的杂种优势,与对照组相比,其长度、宽度、株鲜重、株干重均表现出明显的优势,并且生长均匀、变异程度小,具有广泛的应用前景。     

Seawater adaptation in atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) at different experimental temperatures and photoperiods

A study was made of the effect of gradually increasing day length at different temperatures on the smolting process and on growth of Atlantic salmon during smolting.The experiment consisted of ten experimental groups: a combination of three photoperiod- with three temperature-groups and a tenth control group.Size was found to be the most important factor in seawater adaptation of underyearling Atlantic salmon. Optimal growth in the experimental temperature and photoperiod regimes occurred at 15°C and at the photoperiod with the longest period of increasing day length.At the time for seaward migration, the most pronounced effect of photoperiod on seawater adaptation occurred at 11°C. At this temperature there was a significantly higher percentage of survivors at the photoperiod with the longest period of increasing day length.     

Dietary value of gametophytes and juvenile sporophytes of the brown macroalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia bicyclis</Emphasis> for juvenile abalone <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliotis diversicolor</Emphasis>

The dietary value of juvenile stages (gametophyte and juvenile sporophyte) of the brown macroalga Eisenia bicyclis for post-larval and juvenile abalone Haliotis diversicolor of 2.0–6.5 mm in shell length (SL) was examined and compared with that of a benthic diatom, Nitzschia sp., in laboratory experiments. Most abalone actively fed on these diets, but there were large variations in the growth rate among the diets and among the growth stages of abalone. Growth rates of abalone fed on Nitzschia sp. were highly variable within each growth stage, but showed no clear differences among growth stages. In contrast, in abalone fed gametophytes or juvenile sporophytes, growth rates linearly increased as abalone grew. Growth rates of >60 μm SL/day were observed in juveniles of >3 mm SL fed gametophytes, and juveniles of >5 mm SL fed juvenile sporophytes. These results indicate that the dietary value of the juvenile stages of E. bicyclis for the abalone changes as they grow, and with growth juvenile abalone begin to efficiently utilize gametophytes and juvenile sporophytes in that order.     

温度对海带幼孢子体后期的叶长、叶宽的影响

2014年—2016年,当海带养殖区水温降至19℃时,将海带"奔牛"品系的幼苗移植到荣成养鱼池湾海域,采用垂挂式养殖方式暂养,定期调整水层和摆洗幼苗,采用挂袋施肥的方式施加硫酸铵和硝酸铵的混合肥.约11月中旬,在海带苗种长至12～15 cm时开始分苗,此后在Ⅰ类海带养殖区,按照大单架平养的养殖方式进行正常养殖.自1月中...     

海南新村湾泰来草形态和生理指标特征及环境影响因素

海草具有重要的生态系统服务功能,其形态和生理指标受到各种环境因素的影响。本研究在2019年对海南陵水新村湾泰来草(Thalassia hemprichii)海草床进行了6次采样调查,研究了一年内1月、3月、5月、7月、9月和11月的海草形态和生理特征,分析了环境因素对泰来草形态和生理特征的影响。结果显示,泰来草形态指标叶长、叶宽、根状茎直径、根长在不同月份间存在显著差异,叶长最大值和最小值分别出现在5月[(15.05±6.13) cm]和9月[(7.19±2.55) cm];叶宽最大值和最小值分别出现在11月[(11.93±1.68) mm]和9月[(8.73±1.96) mm];根状茎直径最大值和最小值分别出现在11月[(5.22±1.71) mm]和3月[(4.06±0.74) mm]。泰来草地下组织碳含量在不同月份间存在显著差异,最大值和最小值分别出现在11月[(31.23±0.94)%]和3月[(24.90±3.48)%]。相关性分析显示,海水温度与泰来草叶宽、地下组织碳含量呈显著正相关;盐度与叶长和根状茎长呈显著正相关,与地下组织碳含量呈显著负相关;海水pH与叶长、叶宽、地下组织碳含量和地下组织氮含量呈显著正相关。海水中的溶解无机氮、氨氮和硝酸氮对海草生理指标有显著影响。沉积物有机碳含量与叶长、叶宽和根状茎长呈显著负相关。研究表明,新村泰来草的生长受到温度、盐度、pH的影响较大,高营养盐水平可能对泰来草产生负面影响,应该限制该地区营养盐输入。本研究可为保护新村湾泰来草海草床以及修复受损海草床生态提供数据支撑和科学依据。 海南省近岸海洋生态环境过程与碳汇重点实验室 海南 三亚 572022     

Preliminary evaluation of purified lignin and hemicellulose as prebiotics candidates for Atlantic Salmon,Salmo salar L.

A study was conducted to investigate the potential of purified lignin and hemicellulose as prebiotics in diets for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., postsmolt in seawater (30 ppt) at 14.9 ± 1.2°C. Triplicate groups of fish (initial individual body mass of 101.6 ± 1.2 g) were fed either the fishmeal-dense (32% of fishmeal) control diet (A) or one of the nine diets (15% fishmeal) supplemented with lignin:hemicellulose ratios (% diet:% diet) of 0.05:0 (B), 0.25:0 (C), 0.50:0 (D), 1.00:0 (E), 0:0.05 (F), 0:0.25 (G), 0:0.50 (H), 0.05:0.25 (I), and 0.25:0.50 (J) for 12 weeks in a complete randomized experimental design. At the end of the experiment, the thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC) was significantly lower in salmon fed diets with 0.50% and 1.00% purified lignin than those fed the control diet, while there was no significant difference between the other treatments and the control diet (P < 0.05). The feed efficiency (FE) was significantly lower in salmon fed diets with 0.50% and 1.00% purified lignin and 0.05% hemicellulose than those fed the control diet, while there was no significant difference between the other treatments and the control diet (P < 0.05). The hepatosomatic index (HSI), intestinal villus length, and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients in diets were similar (P > 0.05) among all the diets. This study demonstrated that inclusions of up to 0.25% of dietary purified lignin alone, and 0.25%–0.50% of dietary hemicellulose alone or in combination with dietary lignin can be considered as candidate prebiotics in Atlantic salmon nutrition.     

Reproductive cycle of the sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Holothuria floridana</Emphasis> in the littorals of Campeche,Mexico

The reproduction of Holothuria floridana in Campeche bay, southern Gulf of Mexico, was investigated over a period of 12 months by macroscopic and histological examination of the gonad and gametogenesis. A total of 1938 specimens were collected. Their body gutted weight and body gutted length ranged from 15 to 225 g and 5 to 21 cm, respectively. Percentage of the gonad weight to the gutted body weight (gonad index, GI) increased steadily from December to April, rapidly declined in May, and remained low during the following months. GI displayed a negative correlation with temperature of the habitat and no correlation with salinity. The gonad maturity scale with five stages was developed from macroscopic and microscopic observations; I, recovery; II, growing; III, early mature; IV, mature and V, spent. Stages III to V were observed all around the year, suggesting that this species displays continuous reproduction with two peaks of spawning events; from March to April and in September. The presence of viscera regurgitated individuals caused high variability in GI. The sex-ratio varied from 1:1 (December 2013 to June 2014), to 1.37:1 (November 2013); we suggest that this may be the consequence of unintentional selective fishing. The body length and body weight at the first maturity were calculated to be 13.4 cm and 87.0 g, respectively. For resource management it will be necessary to address some reference points like harvest season and avoidance of catches shorter than length at first maturity.     

Carbon dioxide fixation by the seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture with the scallop Chlamys farreri in Sanggou Bay, China

The red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis was cultivated with the scallop Chlamys farreri in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system for 42 h at Sanggou Bay, located in north China. Variation in inorganic carbon in the IMTA system was determined. The experiment included three treatments each with three replicates and three scallop monoculture systems as controls. Scallop density (399.1 ± 7.85 g per microcosm) remained the same in all treatments while seaweed density differed. The seaweed density was set at three levels (treatments 1, 2, 3) with thallus wet weights of 125.3 ± 4.72 g, 252.3 ± 7.50 g, and 378.7 ± 6.51 g per microcosm, respectively. This produced bivalve to seaweed wet weight ratios of 1:0.31, 1:0.63, and 1:0.96 for treatments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In control groups, continuous dissolution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by scallops into the seawater not only caused an ongoing increase in partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), 5.5 times higher than that of natural seawater, but also acidified seawater by 0.8 units after 42 h of culture. However, in all seaweed-scallop groups, the higher the algal density, the more CO₂ was absorbed; pCO₂ was lowest in treatment 3. The results suggest that a ratio of bivalve to seaweed less than 1:0.96 may produce an even stronger CO₂ sink. Overall, the integrated culture of seaweed and scallop could provide an efficient and environmentally friendly means to reduce CO₂ emissions from bivalve mariculture.     

Mineral composition in the holdfast of three brown algae of the genus Laminaria

SUMMARY: The mineral (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn) contents in the holdfast of three brown algae of the genus Laminaria were determined to compare with those in frond and stipe. The wild and cultivated kelps of Laminaria japonica , L. ochotensis , and L. diabolica were used as samples. The K content was markedly high (11.76–14.91 g/100 g dry weight) in the holdfast of cultivated L. japonica; the K/Na ratio (3.88–5.18) of the holdfast was greater than those of frond and stipe as well as the reported values of frond (1.0–2.2). The content of Ca in the holdfasts of these three species was also higher than those in frond and stipe. The content of Mn showed the same tendency. This is the first report showing that the holdfast of L. japonica and L. diabolica is rich in minerals, especially K.     

Combined influence of water temperature, salinity and body size on energy budget in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

The worldwide demand for sea cucumber is outpacing the sustainable harvest capabilities of fisheries. Sea cucumber ranches and farms are striving to supplement wild harvest, but variable temperature and salinity conditions in pond culture systems make sea cucumber production challenging. In this study, we evaluated how water temperature, salinity and body size affected the energy budget of pond-cultured sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka. An orthogonal design was used to identify the most suitable conditions for energy consumption and scope for growth (SFG). After the 42-day experimental period, we found that water temperature, salinity and body size significantly influenced energy consumption, while salinity and body size were the main influencing factors on SFG. Based on these results, we suggest that a water temperature of 16 °C and a salinity of 30 g L^?1 are optimal conditions for stocking sea cucumber A. japonicus with a body size of 37.34 ± 4.63 g. As such, the optimum stocking seasons for sea cucumber A. japonicus may be April in the spring and October in the autumn.     

Ontogenetic habitat shift of age-0 Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> on the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan: differences in timing of the shift among areas and potential effects on recruitment success

Ontogenetic habitat shift and feeding habits in the shallow (< 15 m) and deep (30–80 m) habitats of age-0 Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Sendai Bay, the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan, were examined to understand the mechanisms that potentially enable area-specific high recruitment success. The flounder was able to use the shallow nursery habitat for about 1 year, until the next summer of their settlement (June–August) when they had reached 250 mm total length (TL). In addition, age-0 flounder between 150 and 250 mm TL used both shallow and deep habitats from winter to the next summer of their settlement, where species, size, and availability of potential food and susceptibility to predators are considerably different. These area-specific characteristics in Sendai Bay are clearly different from other areas around Japan that have been described in the literature: shorter residence in the shallow habitat and smaller size at emigration to the deep habitat. The characteristics in Sendai Bay seem to be enabled by prolonged good feeding conditions in the shallow habitat, which result from an abundant food supply and relatively lower temperature that does not exceed the uppermost temperature (25 °C) for maximum growth of the age-0 flounder. We consider that the prolonged better feeding conditions in the shallow habitat in the study area for ca. 1 year after settlement contribute to higher recruitment success.     

Evaluation of suitable temperature range for post‐harvest processing of mud crabs through cardiac performance

Measurements of either heartbeats or heart rate variability provide important information on metabolic changes and stress responses. In this study, we aimed to determine the suitable temperature conditions for maintaining product quality for post‐harvest processing of mud crab (Scylla serrata) through measuring cardiac performance. A bundle of implanted electrodes was used to record the electrocardiogram, from which the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were derived to evaluate the physiological performances of the crabs under tying at different seawater temperatures. The lowest standard deviation of HR was detected at the seawater temperature of 18°C for the group of ascending temperatures and at 10°C for the group of descending temperatures. Lower HRV was detected at the range from 10 to 14°C. The results suggest that the temperature range of 14–18°C is suitable to reduce variability in heart rate and may decrease physiological stress. These conditions might help maintain the quality of live crabs during post‐harvest processing and transportation.     

Effects of light quality on the reproduction and morphology of sporophytes of Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae)

Responses of the sporophytes of Laminaria japonica to blue, red and white lights were investigated using segments, discs and whole plants. The relative growth rate with regard to the blade's length and width showed no difference among the light conditions during 2 weeks of culturing. On the contrary, the elongation rates of the stipe and the holdfast were 1.7–2.5 times higher under red light than that under white light as a control. Callus formation in the segments was also promoted more under red light conditions than under white or blue light. Blue light irradiation resulted in a 48% and 12% decrease in the relative growth rate of the stipe and the holdfast, respectively, in comparison with the control. When sporophyte discs were cultured for 10 weeks, all discs formed zoosporangial sori 2–3 weeks earlier under blue light than under white light. However, red light inhibited the formation of zoosporangia. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) oxidase activity was about two‐fold higher under blue light than under red light, suggesting that the difference in response between the blue and red light conditions is related to the internal IAA level of the tissues. The developmental, reproductive and morphological effects of blue and red lights will be useful for the artificial control of the life cycle of Laminaria plants and for the development of more efficient cultivation techniques.     

ACCELERATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN YOUNG GREEN ABALONE (Haliotis fulgens) USING WARMED EFFLUENT SEAWATER

Larvae and juveniles of the green abalone grow and survive well at temperatures in the range 20–28°C. A program of hatchery research with this species utilizing thermal effluent has been in progress since 1979 at the Redondo Beach Electric Power Facility, Southern California Edison Company. All life stages may be cultured in the effluent seawater with temperature regulation by admixture of ambient seawater when required. Using thermal effluent, growth rates of juveniles are increased by a factor of 1.5–2.0 over those reared at ambient temperatures (14–20°C) characteristic of southern California. The time to harvest for seed 1–2 cm is reduced from about one year to six months. While optimal temperatures for larvae and postlarvae fall in the range 20–24°C, juveniles are more broadly tolerant of heat and exhibit a growth optimum in the range 24–28°C. The upper lethal limit for juveniles is 31.5°C (LD₅₀, 48 hours). Postlarvae, juveniles and adults have exhibited no indications of unfavorable conditions in power plant effluent. Young adults at 1.5 years (4–5 cm) became reproductively mature and yielded viable larvae. Both hatchery-reared and wild-caught adult green abalone were conditioned to spawning readiness during winter months (natural period, spring-fall) when held in a mixture of effluent and ambient seawater at 20–24°C. Progeny from this research were provided to the California Department of Fish and Game for release in experimental plants. Approximately 30,000 juveniles were produced in 1980–81.     

Successive use of different habitats during the early life stages of Pacific herring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupea pallasii</Emphasis> in Akkeshi waters on the east coast of Hokkaido

Distributions of eggs, larvae and juveniles of Pacific herring Clupea pallasii were surveyed in Lake Akkeshi and the connecting Akkeshi Bay on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido. Eggs were found attached to seagrasses and seaweeds in the densely vegetated eastern inner lake. Larvae (7.1–34.9 mm total length) were distributed in the less densely vegetated inner lake during April and June. Juveniles (35.0–89.6 mm) were collected in the central and western parts of the lake. The sites containing juveniles were less densely vegetated with water temperatures lower than 20 °C from June to August. When the water temperature of the entire lake rose to 20 °C in late summer, juveniles appeared to move from the lake to the bottom layer of Akkeshi Bay, which has lower temperatures. Thus, in Akkeshi waters, C. pallasii successively used different habitats during its egg, larval and juvenile stages. A comparison of the current limited distribution of eggs and larvae with the distribution over the entire lake and bay areas in the 1950s and 1960s (periods of large catch size) indicates that the spawning grounds and larval habitats of C. pallasii have contracted to the lake area due to low spawning stock biomass in recent years.     

Effect of temperature on survival,growth and malformation of cultured larvae and juveniles of the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus

The effects of rearing temperature (23–29 °C) during the larval and juvenile stage on survival, growth and skeletal malformations in the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus were investigated. The survival rate of juveniles 30–40 mm in total length emerging from eggs was higher at 25 and 26 °C (0.1–1.3 %) than at 23 °C or 27–29 °C (0.004–1.5 %). Growth (increase in total length) was accelerated at higher temperatures. The frequency of malformed individuals was lower at 25–27 °C (36.0–61.5 %) than at 23, 28 or 29 °C (65.3–76.9 %). Specific incidences of spinal curvature and centrum fusion or defects in juveniles were not related to rearing temperature. However, incidences of twisted or compressed vertebrae (6.5–64.0 %) were higher at higher temperatures, while the incidence of bifurcated neural spine was significantly higher at 23 °C (43.6–54.4 %) than at other temperatures (3.3–22.7 %). The incidence rate of spinal curvature (23.3 %) was significantly higher in juveniles with a deflated swim bladder, regardless of rearing temperature. The results of this study suggest that the optimum culture temperature for seven-band grouper is 25–26 °C, collectively considering the survival, growth and incidences of abnormalities. Our results also demonstrate the significance of identifying the conditions for swim bladder inflation to prevent spinal curvature in seven-band grouper.     

Temperature and fatigue effect on the maximum swimming speed of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus

Swimming performance of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus (18.2 ± 0.8 cm fork length (FL), n = 185) was examined in a flume tank by measuring the stride length at low and high tail beat frequencies with electromyogram monitoring and a muscle twitch experiment. Stride length was analyzed by monitoring the tail beat frequency according to the swimming speed at different temperatures of 10, 15 and 22 °C. In the electromyographic observations, the initiation of ordinary muscle activity occurred between 71.4 and 99.6 cm/s, that is 3.7 to 5.3 FL/s, when the tail beat frequency was over 6 Hz. The swimming speeds increased rectilinearly with the tail beat frequency at each water temperature both for the low and high tail beat frequency. Lower stride length was observed at the lowest temperature (10 °C) tested. The forced swimming exercise significantly affected the muscle contraction time to become longer than the control fish, which indicated a reduction of the maximum swimming speed performance.